video; dated to about an hour after everyone returns

[brightdawn]

[Koltira just doesn't know what happened. One minute he was sitting down, taking a break, peeling an apple--and then, suddenly, abruptly, he was here. He had not even heard someone mutter a spell, though he could see Merriel practicing on the lawns just beyond the temple's terrace. Perhaps something had gone astray. Something had definitely gone awry.

He's in some kind of woods, that much is clear, but he has no sense of them as he does in Quel'thalas. The trees feel foreign, damaged, sick. The dark sky roils with clouds, and the wind is a sharp, cold bite on his neck. He takes a few steps in one direction, then a few in another, and then he finally notices the other Koltira's tablet--blinking and murmuring on the ground. Koltira picks it up, presses some buttons.

The video eventually clicks on. The face it shows the network is familiar, but still markedly different than what anyone might remember of Koltira Deathweaver. His skin is healthy, sanguine tone; fair and free of cracks. An easy smile (albeit somewhat bemused) marks his handsome features, and while his eyes are still blue, they lack the cold fire of undeath. This is the blue of summer morning, warm and inviting.

His armor is something else, too. The video shows part of it--it's polished plate, pale blue and worked with ornate gold filigree. He has a broadsword strapped to his back, and the jeweled hilt mimics a stylized set of phoenix wings. A far cry from the dreadplate, from the ominous Byfrost.

When he speaks, his voice is friendly and smooth, lacking any of the guttural scratch it suffered from in undeath. Because, of course, this is Koltira before all of that.]

I have to say, this is the strangest scrying device I've ever seen. If it even is that; I suppose I could very well be talking to myself. But it does seem like something is transmitting.

[he shrugs. Well, anyway.]

If anyone can hear me on this, could you let me know? My name is Koltira, by the way. I'm usually guarding the temple An'owyn, but I think my friend Merriel may have tried a teleportation spell on me and gotten it a bit wrong.

[He beams, winningly.]

I'm sure it will all sort itself out eventually! But, in the meantime, I need to find my way out of these dreadful woods. Any help would be most appreciated.

[ooc: PRETEND HIS EYES ARE BLUE in these icons ...

ALSO LIZ TOLD ME TO POST THIS. SO I DID.]

Comments

[brightdawn]

[Koltira is still some ways away from his cabin, so he just wanders aimlessly until his keen eyes spot the faintly shimmering light through the trees. Presuming this is the helpful human from the tablet, he heads towards it purposefully.]

[healplz]

[ He's confident that his magic will suit his purpose, and walks silently himself. The spell is refreshed whenever it starts to fade away, up until the moment Koltira comes into sight. Then, with a small smile, he tries out the phrase he's heard so often. ]

Bal'a dash, Koltira. [ It's... not bad, actually. Accented, but understandable. ]

[brightdawn]

[That phrase makes Koltira stop cold. His pleasant expression hardens, just a little, because he's fairly sure that's not on Azeroth anymore.]

How exactly do you know Thalassian, stranger?

[healplz]

[ His smile is present again, small and sad. He stops a respectful distance back from Koltira. ]

You taught me that greeting.

[brightdawn]

[Koltira draws the broadsword from his back rapidly, his bright blue eyes narrowed in suspicion. Unlike his later self, this Koltira has a very expressive face--and he clearly doesn't like what he's hearing.]

Impossible. Explain yourself, stranger. Or are you a shade of this world, sent to trick and devour me?

[healplz]

[ It's a somewhat unexpected reaction, but he doesn't startle. He doesn't even move. A man with a sword is no real threat to him as long as he can use his magic, and he doubts if Koltira has many ways to stop it at this point in his life. ]

A version of you from later in your life has been here before. He is gone now, with you in his place. I know it sounds impossible, but such things are not uncommon here. [ He spreads both hands at his sides, pacifying. ] I must ask your forgiveness for my over familiarity — I considered myself a good friend of the you I had known.

[brightdawn]

A version of me ...?

[He pauses, considering the idea. Although he isn't a mage, magic is still very much part of his culture and identity--and this all definitely seems like magic.

Plus, the sense he's getting from Ashraf's own spellcasting seems pure enough. Hmm.

He returns the sword to his back and approaches.]

Well, I do like to make the best of things! What's your name, old friend?

[healplz]

[ There's another little pang of sorrow at the differences between this Koltira, and the man he will become. But he smiles through it and steps forward with a hand extended. ]

Ashraf Salib, a priest of Rune-Midgard. It is an honor to meet you again.

[brightdawn]

A priest! I should have guessed, what with the light show and everything. [He bows his head in mild deference as he clasps Ashraf's hand with a warm, firm grip. Humans brought their religion to the high elves some time ago, and so he has plenty of respect for the clergy.]

The honor is mine, I assure you.

[healplz]

[ Oh, how... warm. Well, if nothing else, at least this Koltira seems very easy to come to like. If he's forced to abandon the memory of one friend for the presence of another... oh, what a sad thought. He closes his eyes for a moment to clear his mind of it, and determines to simply not consider any of this. Not at the moment, at least. ]

All we transports, as whom you now qualify, have housing assigned us within the city of Exsilium. The previous you, preferring solitude, had given up his room in favor of a cabin within the woods, not far from here. But if you would prefer to live among the rest of us, I am quite sure something can be arranged. [ even if it's just his couch. ]

[brightdawn]

Are you sure that was me, then? I'm pretty used to being around crowds ... I like them, actually. The temple always has a number of interesting visitors. [He shrugs.] At any rate, I would certainly prefer to be with the group.

[healplz]

[ A nod. ]

People change. [ which is about all he'll say about that! and hopefully anyone else that speaks to him will have the decency to avoid saying anything about his death. and enslavement. and all the murders. he sighs, running fingers through his hair. ] I have a warp portal that will bring us directly to the Hold, if you would like.

[brightdawn]

[He's unsettled by that remark. How could he have possibly changed to that degree? But Ashraf's tone does not brook discussion.]

... a portal? Are you a mage and a priest?

[healplz]

[ He shakes his head, but takes the lack of disagreement as ascent. With a wave of his hand, the glow blue of his warp blossoms from the ground. ]

No, it is a skill of priests and monks in Rune-Midgard. [ He nods toward it. ] Go ahead.

[brightdawn]

I see! A talented lot, you are. [He has to admit that Ashraf has an upright air about him, and he's been nothing but helpful so far. Trusting a few people would be necessary to get by here, so he decides to start with this man. He steps into the portal.]